Compressed gas-driven firearm

ABSTRACT

A compressed-gas-operated firearm, comprising a reservoir for compressed gas; valve means ( 8 ) for supplying the compressed gas from the reservoir to a projectile ( 10 ) to which the compressed gas is to be applied, in which case the valve means ( 8 ) can have an impulse applied to it, at least in places, for firing a shot; in which case the valve means ( 8 ) are designed such that, by replacement of at least one first part by at least one second part of the valve means ( 8 ), the amount of compressed gas which is available for the acceleration of the projectile ( 10 ) per shot and/or the pressure of the compressed gas which is available for application to the projectile ( 10 ) can be varied.

The present invention relates to a compressed-gas-operated firearm as claimed in the preambles of claims 1, 8 and 14. The present invention also relates to a plurality of components for manufacturing a firearm as claimed in the preamble of claim 21.

Compressed-gas-operated firearms of the abovementioned type are known. There are different regulations in different countries relating to the kinetic energy of the projectiles leaving the firearm. For example, in Germany, the kinetic energy must not be more than 7.5 J. In other countries, other regulations apply, so that projectiles may have a kinetic energy of up to 16 J there. A comparatively large amount of effort has been applied in the prior art in order to design compressed-gas-operated firearms whose fired projectiles have different kinetic energies.

DE 101 16 010 A1 discloses a compressed-gas-operated firearm in which a holder, which can be removed from the firearm, is provided for two compressed-gas cartridges, in which case this holder can be fitted to the firearm by connecting means. In the case of the firearm which is known from the abovementioned prior art, the two compressed-gas cartridges are pushed into the holder via a clamping apparatus, which is provided with a handle that can be rotated, in such a manner that the compressed-gas cartridges are pierced, so that the compressed gas can escape. This clamping apparatus is comparatively complex.

Furthermore, compressed-gas-operated firearms are known in which drums which can rotate are provided for holding projectiles. The projectiles are generally in the form of so-called pellets, and have a central constriction in the longitudinal direction. The drums generally have a surrounding O-ring which projects into the individual holes for holding the projectiles, in such a manner that the pellets are held by the O-ring in the area of their constrictions. One disadvantage that has been found with the firearms that are known from the prior art is the fact that, because the commercially available pellets have different lengths, some are of such a length that part of them projects out of the drum when they are held by the abovementioned O-ring.

The problem on which the present invention is based is to provide a firearm as claimed in the preamble of claim 1 which can easily be changed in order to allow the fired projectile to have different kinetic energies. The present invention is also based on the problem of producing a compressed-gas-operated firearm as claimed in the preamble of claim 8, in which projectiles of different length can also be held in the holes in the drum, without the projectiles projecting out of the drum. The present invention is also based on the problem of providing a firearm as claimed in the preamble of claim 14, in which the compressed-gas cartridges can be opened more easily. A further aim is to specify a plurality of components which are suitable for manufacturing a firearm as claimed in the preamble of claim 1.

With regard to the firearm, these problems are solved by claims 1, 8 and 14 and with regard to the plurality of components, they are solved by claim 21. The dependent claims relate to preferred refinements of the invention.

Claim 1 provides that the valve means are designed such that, by replacement of at least one first part by at least one second part of the valve means, the amount of compressed gas which is available for the acceleration of the projectile per shot and/or the pressure of the compressed gas which is available for application to the projectile can be varied. This means that the kinetic energy of the projectile that is accelerated by the compressed gas can be changed by replacement of the at least one first part by the at least one second part. By way of example, a projectile kinetic energy of considerably more than 7.5 J can be achieved when using the first part, while in contrast a kinetic energy of less than 7.5 J is achieved when using the second part.

It is possible for the first part and the second part of the valve means to be a first and a second valve stem. Valve stems such as these can be inserted comparatively easily into the valve means, so that the first part can be replaced by the second part using very simple facilities.

In this case, it is possible for the first valve stem to have a greater length, at least in sections, than the second valve stem.

In particular, it is possible to provide that the valve stem can have an impulse applied to it in order to fire a shot, in such a manner that the valve stem is moved somewhat with respect to further parts of the valve means, in which case the valve means is opened at least partially and for a time period by this movement, and compressed gas is applied to the projectile. If a longer valve stem is used in this case, the valve means are opened further and are also open for a longer time period, so that a greater amount of compressed gas emerges. In a corresponding manner, when using a shorter valve stem, a smaller amount of compressed gas is available for acceleration of the projectile.

It is also possible for the valve means to have a spring against whose force the valve stem can be moved in order to fire a shot. The spring produces a restoring force, which can move the valve stem back to its original position again against the impulse which can be given to the valve stem in order to open the valve.

Claim 8 provides that the drum has a plurality of cutouts on one of its axial end faces, each of which cutouts at least partially surrounds the ends of each of the holes. The cutouts make it easier to push the projectiles into the holes in the drum, in such a manner that the projectile can be pushed further into the hole in the axial direction of the drum. This makes it possible for an O-ring which is used, for example, for retention to be further away from the end face on which the cutouts are provided, so that longer projectiles can also be held in the drum in such a manner that they do not project out of the drum on the end face which is provided with the cutouts.

In this case, it is possible to provide for each of the cutouts to be in the form of a spherical segment. In particular, in this case, one cutout can in each case essentially symmetrically surround the axial end of one of the holes. This makes it easier to insert the projectile into that end of the hole which is provided with the cutout.

As in the case of the prior art, it is possible to provide for a holding means for holding a projectile in the hole to be provided in or on each of the holes. These holding means may be in the form of an O-ring which projects into the respective hole, with the O-ring projecting radially, in particular from the outside, into the respective hole.

Claim 14 provides that the connecting means and/or the holder are/is designed in such a manner that the at least one compressed-gas cartridge is opened for the compressed gas to emerge from owing to the connection of the holder to the firearm. This means that there is no need to separately pierce the compressed-gas cartridges. In fact, this is achieved automatically by the connection of the holder to the firearm.

It is possible for the holder to have at least two compressed-gas cartridges, both of which can be opened by means of the connection of the holder to the firearm. By way of example, the holder can in this case be designed in such a manner that, after the opening of the at least two compressed-gas cartridges, the compressed gas which emerges from them flows around the compressed-gas cartridges, at least in sections. The holder may be elongated, and the two compressed-gas cartridges may be arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the holder. In this case, the openings in the compressed-gas cartridges may in particular each face the ends of the holder. This allows the opening in the compressed-air cartridges to be provided by simple means on connection of the holder to the firearm.

The holder is preferably designed in such a manner that, after removal of the holder from the firearm, the holder is sealed in such a manner that no compressed gas emerges from the holder.

The compressed gas may be carbon dioxide, so that commercially available carbon-dioxide cartridges may be used.

Claim 21 provides that the components comprise at least one first part and at least one second part which can be used selectively for assembly of the valve means, and differ in that, when the at least one first part is used for the assembly of the valve means, the amount of compressed gas which is available for acceleration of the projectile per shot and/or the pressure of the compressed gas which is available for application to the projectile are/is greater than when using the at least one second part. In this case, it is also possible to provide that the at least one first and the at least one second part of the valve means are a first and a second valve stem. In particular in this case, the first valve stem may have a greater length, at least in places, than the second valve stem.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear on the basis of the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 a shows a side view of a firearm according to the invention;

FIG. 1 b shows a sectioned detailed view of the firearm as shown in FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 shows a further detailed sectioned view of the firearm according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a holder for a firearm according to the invention;

FIG. 4 a shows a detailed view corresponding to the arrow IVa in FIG. 3, in which the compressed-gas cartridges have not been pierced;

FIG. 4 b shows a detailed view corresponding to the arrow IVb in FIG. 3, in which the compressed-gas cartridges have not been pierced;

FIG. 5 a shows a view, partially corresponding to FIG. 4 a, with the compressed-gas cartridges having been pierced and with connecting means connected to the holder;

FIG. 5 b shows a view corresponding to FIG. 4 b with the compressed-gas cartridges having been pierced;

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a drum for a firearm according to the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a sectioned view along the arrows VII-VII in FIG. 6.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b, a firearm according to the invention has a barrel 1 at whose rear end a drum 2 is arranged, which can rotate and in which projectiles 3 can be held. The firearm also has a holder 4 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 a) in which two compressed-gas cartridges 5, 6 are arranged, as well as connecting means 7 for connection of the holder 4 to the firearm.

Gas, for example CO₂, flowing out of the compressed-gas cartridges 5, 6 can pass to valve means 8 through the connecting means 7. The valve means 8 can be seen in FIG. 5 a and FIG. 2. When the valve means 8 have been operated, the compressed gas can pass via a channel 9 at the rear to a projectile 10 which is located in the barrel, as a result of which the projectile 10 which is located in the barrel is accelerated out of the barrel, to the right in FIG. 2. The projectile 10 is passed to the firing position as shown in FIG. 2 by a slide, which is not illustrated but can convey the projectile from the drum 2 to the firing position.

The valve means 8 may be operated by a striking lever 12 on operation of a trigger 11. The striking lever 12 is shown in FIG. 2 and has a pin 13 at its right-hand end in FIG. 2. On operation of the trigger 11, the striking lever 12 is moved to the right in FIG. 2, with the pin 13 being moved to the right through a cutout until it strikes a valve stem 14 of the valve means 8, and likewise moves this to the right in FIG. 2. During this process, the pin 18 transmits an impulse to the valve stem 14, so that it is moved to the right in FIG. 2 against the force of a spring 15, which is likewise surrounded by the valve means 8, and is moved back again to the left in FIG. 2 by the spring 15 after a short time, corresponding to the transmitted impulse. During this, the pin 13 is locked in the position in which it has transmitted the impulse to the valve stem 14. This is achieved by that end face of the striking lever 12 which is on the right in FIG. 2 striking a stop 16.

At its end which is located in the interior of the valve, the valve stem 14 has a flange-like surface 17 which provides a seal against an O-ring 18 when the system is in the closed state (in this context, see FIG. 5 a) . The movement of the valve stem 14 to the right in FIG. 2 releases the flange-like surface 17 from the O-ring 18, so that compressed gas can pass from the connecting means 7 through the valve into the channel 9. After a short time, the spring 15 pushes the valve stem back to the left in FIG. 2, so that the flange-like surface 17 once again forms a seal against the O-ring 18, and no more compressed gas can enter the channel 9.

The invention provides that the valve stem 16 may be replaced by a further valve stem, which is not shown, but which has a different length, in particular a different length of the section between the flange-like section 17 and that end which is on the left in FIG. 2 and faces the pin 13. If the valve stem in its entirety, or if the piece between the left-hand end and the flange-like section 17, is longer than in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the flange-like section 17 is pushed further into the valve means 8 by the impulse transmitted by the pin 13 to the valve stem, so that the overall opening time of the valve means 8 is increased in comparison to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, a greater opening of the valve means is also achieved when the valve stem is in the position in which it has been pushed to the maximum extent to the right (in this context, see FIG. 2). This larger opening or this longer opening time results in more compressed gas flowing into the channel 9, so that the projectile 10 which is located in the barrel can be accelerated out of the barrel by a greater amount of compressed gas and/or by a greater pressure. This means that the projectile is given greater kinetic energy if the valve stem is longer or the valve stem has a longer effective section.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4 a, FIG. 4 b, FIG. 5 a and FIG. 5 b show the holder 4 in detail. In particular, FIG. 3 shows that two compressed-gas cartridges 5, 6 are arranged one behind the other in the holder 4, in such a manner that their bases abut against one another. The tips 19, 20 of the compressed-gas cartridges 5, 6 in this case point towards the outer ends of the holder 4. The holder 4 has piercing needles 21, 22, which make contact with the tips 19, 20 in the position shown in FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b, but have not yet pierced them.

At the end facing the connecting means 7, the holder 4 has a connecting part 23 which is mounted such that it can move. This connecting part 23 in this case has a neck 24 with an O-ring 25 surrounding the neck. In the position shown in FIG. 4 a, the O-ring 25 surrounding the neck 24 forms a seal against a constriction 26 in the holder 4.

FIG. 5 a and FIG. 5 b show the position in which the holder 4 is connected to the firearms. In this position, the connecting means 7 push the connecting part 23 to the right in FIG. 5 a, so that the neck 24 is pushed far enough to the right in FIG. 5 a such that the O-ring 25 no longer forms a seal against the construction 26. In this way, compressed air can flow out of the holder 4 through the connecting means 7 into the valve means 8, through the constriction 26, past the neck 24. The movement of the connecting part 23 to the right in FIG. 5 a and FIG. 5 b is carried out in such a way that the piercing needles 21, 22 pierce the tips 19, 20 of the compressed-gas cartridges 5, 6. This was achieved inter alia by the right-hand compressed-gas cartridge 6 being moved to the right against the piercing needle 22, and by the connecting part 23, which is fitted with the piercing needle 21 at its right-hand end, being pressed against the left-hand compressed-gas cartridge 5.

The compressed gas flowing out of the right-hand compressed-gas cartridge 6 can pass via the piercing needle 22 into the space 27 around the compressed-gas cartridges 5, 6, flowing past the compressed-gas cartridges 5, 6 and into the space 28 in the holder 4 around the connecting part 23. The compressed gas which emerges from the left-hand compressed-gas cartridge 5 can be passed directly through the piercing needle 21 into this space 28. The compressed gas can pass from the space 28 around the connecting part 23 through the constriction 26 and the connecting means 7 into the valve means 8. FIG. 5 a also shows an O-ring 29 which forms a seal for the left-hand end of the holder 4 in FIG. 5 a against the opening, which is provided in the area of the connecting means 7, in the firearm.

When the holder 4 is withdrawn from the connecting means, the connecting part 23 is also moved to the left by the pressure which is built up by the compressed gas in the space 27, until the position shown in FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b is reached, in which the neck is sealed against the constriction 26 by the O-ring 25. In this state, although the compressed-gas cartridges 5, 6 have then been opened, the compressed gas cannot, however, emerge from the holder 4.

The drum 2 for a firearm according to the invention is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The drum 2 has a plurality of holes 30, which are arranged concentrically around the axis of the drum. Eight holes 30 are provided in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. As can be seen from FIG. 7, projectiles 3 can be inserted into the holes 30. On the radially outer edges of the holes 30, the drum 2 also has a circumferential groove 31, in which an O-ring 32 is arranged. As can be seen from FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the O-ring 32 projects radially from the outside somewhat into the individual holes 30.

As pellets, the projectiles 3 are provided with a constriction. The O-ring 32 projects from the outside somewhat into these constrictions, so that the O-ring 32 holds the pellets in the holes 30. On the axial end face on the left in FIG. 7, the drums also have cutouts 33, which surround the ends of the holes 30. The cutouts 33 are in the form of spherical segments in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, which rotationally symmetrically surround the holes.

The cutouts 33 allow the projectiles 3 to be inserted somewhat deeper into the holes 30 from the left in FIG. 7, that is to say further to the right into the holes 30. For this reason, the drum according to the invention allows the O-ring 32 to be arranged somewhat further to the right in FIG. 7 than is the case with conventional drums. Particularly long projectiles 3 can therefore also be inserted into the holes 30 without projecting out of the drum 2 on the left in FIG. 7.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   1 Barrel -   2 Drum -   3, 10 Projectile -   4 Holder -   5, 6 Compressed-gas cartridges -   7 Connecting means -   8 Valve means -   9 Channel -   11 Trigger -   12 Striking lever -   13 Pin -   14 Valve stem -   15 Spring -   16 Stop for the striking lever -   17 Flange-like surface -   18 O-ring -   19, 20 Tips of the compressed-gas cartridges -   21, 22 Piercing needle -   23 Connecting part -   24 Neck -   25 O-ring -   26 Constriction -   27 Space around the compressed-gas cartridges -   28 Space around the connecting part -   29 O-ring -   30 Hole -   31 Circumferential groove -   32 O-ring -   33 Cutout 

1-23. (canceled) 24: A compressed-gas-operated firearm, comprising a reservoir for compressed gas; a valve configuration disposed to selectively supply compressed gas from said reservoir for accelerating a projectile when said valve configuration has a pulse applied thereto, at least in sections, for firing a shot; said valve configuration having at least one first part configured to be replaced by at least one second part, wherein, when said at least one first part is replaced by said second part, an amount of compressed gas provided by said valve configuration for accelerating the projectile per shot and/or a pressure of the compressed gas available for application to the projectile is varied. 25: The firearm according to claim 24, wherein said first part and said second part of said valve configuration are a first valve stem and a second valve stem, respectively. 26: The firearm according to claim 25, wherein said first valve stem has a greater length, at least in sections thereof, than said second valve stem. 27: The firearm according to claim 25, wherein said valve stem is disposed to have an impulse applied thereto in order to fire a shot, such that said valve stem is moved somewhat with respect to further parts of said valve configuration, whereby said valve configuration is opened at least partially and for a time period, and compressed gas is applied to the projectile. 28: The firearm according to claim 25, wherein said valve configuration includes a spring and said valve stem is moved against a force of said spring in order to fire a shot. 29: The firearm according to claim 25, which comprises a striking lever movably disposed for firing a shot and for applying a pulse to said valve stem by a movement thereof. 30: The firearm according to claim 29, wherein said striking lever includes a pin disposed to strike said valve stem and to transmit a pulse to said valve stem in order to fire a shot. 31: The firearm according to claim 24, wherein the compressed gas is carbon dioxide. 32: A compressed-gas-operated firearm, comprising: a drum rotatably mounted about an axis and configured to hold a plurality of projectiles; said drum having a plurality of holes formed therein extending in an axial direction and configured to receive therein one projectile each; and said drum having an axial end face formed with a plurality of cutouts, with each of said cutouts at least partially surrounding an end of a respective one of said holes. 33: The firearm according to claim 32, wherein each of said cutouts is in a form of a spherical segment. 34: The firearm according to claim 32, wherein one respective said cutout surrounds an axial end of one of said holes substantially symmetrically. 35: The firearm according to claim 32, which comprises holding means disposed in or on each of said holes for holding a projectile in the respective said hole. 36: The firearm according to claim 35, wherein said holding means comprise an O-ring projecting into the respective said hole. 37: The firearm according to claim 36, wherein said O-ring projects radially into the respective said hole. 38: The firearm according to claim 36, wherein said O-ring projections radially from outside into the respective said hole. 39: A compressed-gas-operated firearm, comprising: a holder, removably mounted to the firearm, for holding at least one compressed-gas cartridge; a connecting device for connecting said holder to the firearm; and wherein at least one of said connecting device and said holder is configured to open said at least one compressed-gas cartridge for the compressed gas to emerge when the holder is connected to the firearm. 40: The firearm according to claim 39, wherein said holder carries at least two compressed-gas cartridges, and both said cartridges are opened by connecting said holder to the firearm. 41: The firearm according to claim 40, wherein said holder is configured such that, after said at least two compressed-gas cartridges are opened, the compressed gas emerges therefrom flows around said compressed-gas cartridges, at least in sections. 42: The firearm according to claim 40, wherein said holder is an elongated holder, and said two compressed-gas cartridges are disposed one behind another in a longitudinal direction of said elongated holder. 43: The firearm according to claim 42, wherein each of said compressed-gas cartridges has an opening facing a respective end of said holder. 44: The firearm according to claim 39, wherein said holder is configured such that, after removal of said holder from the firearm, said holder is sealed to prevent compressed gas from emerging from said holder. 45: The firearm according to claim 39, wherein said compressed gas-cartridges are charged with carbon dioxide. 46: A plurality of components for the manufacture of a compressed-gas-operated firearm according to claim 24, the components comprising: parts for a valve configuration, said parts including at least one first part and at least one second part selectively usable for assembly of said valve configuration, said at least one first part and said at least one second part differing in that, when said at least one first part is used for the assembly of said valve configuration, an amount of compressed gas available for acceleration of a projectile per shot and/or a pressure of the compressed gas available for application to the projectile is greater than when said at least one second part is used for the assembly of said valve configuration. 47: The plurality of components according to claim 46, wherein said at least one first part is a first valve stem and said at least one second part is a second valve stem of said valve configuration. 48: The plurality of components according to claim 47, wherein said first valve stem has a greater length, at least in places, than said second valve stem. 